@EdgySam: #Northwestern vs. #PSU, The Pick

It's about time #Northwestern steps up and plays up to the level I thought they would play at before the season started. I have the Wildcats rated higher than the Nits, and they come into the Big 10 contest as an underdog, a nice situation for EdgySam.
NW has more starters back than PSU, including an experienced QB, all of their '13 O-Line starters and an experienced defense, highlighted by all four starters back in the defensive backfield.
Nice final touch is HC Fitzgerald rises to occasion in road games, posting a winning record vs. spread as a road underdog.
In our only Noon play, take Northwestern.

#FresnoState vs. #NewMexico: The Pick

New Mexico gave up 7.5 y.p.c. and 330 yards rushing vs. UTEP. Wow. ASU got 423 yards rushing vs. Lobos at 8.8 y.p.c., and gave up 35 points to New Mexico St in a 3-point win. That is a horrible defense.
Fresno St. has 3 big losses as well, but, at least they lost to USC, Utah, and Nebraska, three good programs.
The Bulldogs have a new QB this year, after losing the spectacular Derek Carr, but the replacement is an experienced transfer from Duke. They have a solid trio of RBs back from last year, and 8.5 starters back from '13 defense.
The higher rated team, according to my CollegeEdge ratings, and the team with the winning history is the pick.
Take Fresno State Bulldogs

#UCLA vs. #ASU: The Pick

UCLA may not have Hundley at QB, but, the big loss in this game is the loss of ASU's returning QB, Taylor Kelly. His loss may be bigger tonight because of the paucity of returning starters from the Sun Devil squad. His experience was key with the loss of so many '13 starters.
In addition to the loss of QB Kelly, ASU has only 2 starters back on defense! HC Graham is a very good coach, but, I feel he has too much to overcome in what is somewhat of a revenge game for the Bruins( ASU beat UCLA in Rose Bowl last year, 38-33).
Believe it, or not, I'd like to see Hundley play, but, not overly concerned if he does not play.
UCLA is the pick. In a smaller play, take the under in the same game.

#TexasTech vs. #OklahomaState: The Pick

No letdown factor tonight, so #Edgysam goes to his CollegeEdge ratings for support.
Texas Tech has the returning starter strength on offense, with QB Webb, almost a completely intact O-Line back and experience at both the RB and Receiver positions. If I have trouble tonight with the Red Raiders it will be because of their questionable defense.
What is heartening, if, like me, you are worried about the TT defense, is Oklahoma St. has almost no returning experience on offense. They had a little experience back at QB in Walsh, but, the Cowboys lost him to a season-ending injury. His replacement, Daxx Garman, wasn't even on the QB radar in 2013.
HC Gundy is one of the great spread coaches in the FBS, but, EdgySam, yours truly, has this game very closely contested, according to my team ratings.
Take Texas Tech, and buy the 1/2 pt if the spread is 14.

@EdgySam: Three Picks at 8:00p.m.

Miami is the higher rated team according to my CollegeEdge ratings and they are the underdog in their game vs. Nebraska. Take Miami and hope RB Duke Johnson is the major contributor for the 'Canes.

In two smaller plays, yes, I believe the loss of QB Winston makes a difference in tonight's game. Clemson's defense will cause trouble for FSU's new QB Maguire. Not sure Clemson will win, but, take Tigers in a low scoring, close game.
Take Clemson and the under in the same game.

@EdgySam Picks in the Early #FBS Games

Maryland over Syracuse: The Terps are the higher rated team, and, as opposed to their first two games, come into this contest vs. Syracuse as an underdog. If you follow me and the CollegeEdge, you know I look for spots where the higher rated team comes into game as a dog. Orange are 2-0. They have their two wins vs. Villanova and Central Michigan. First tough matchup of the year for the home team.
Take Maryland. If spread is at +2.5, I would buy the .5 point.

Two smaller plays: Georgia over Troy. Troy lost a good QB from '13 squad. Freshman starts this year. Bulldogs will romp

Virginia Tech over Georgia Tech: Two of my favorite coaches go against each other. This is a CollegeEdge ratings pick. I have the Hokies rated considerably higher than the Yellow Jackets. VT has the better of the new QBs and they also have a quality I always look for when a defending the option: experience at the D-Back position. Hokies have all 4 starters back at the D-Back position. I have a tremendous amount of respect for G.T. coach Paul Johnson. He's the main reason I didn't put this pick in the Maryland category.

@Edgysam Picks: #UConn vs. #USF

This is a night where @edgysam will turn to his CollegeEdge ratings for a selection.
I have the home team Bulls as the higher rated team. According to my ratings, not knowing anything about how either team has played, I would have made USF a minimum of a 7-point favorite in the game. The problem is I do know how both teams have played, and both teams have been bad so far. I completely understand how this line could open at USF -4 and, so far, drop to -1.
But, USF does have an experienced offensive line(all 5 starters back), and a defense that at least showed some life vs. Maryland in a 17-24 loss. Plus, USF is home in the only game on the FBS schedule. The Bulls should be relatively pumped up.
Take USF, and in a smaller play, take the under in the same game.